Illinois beats Morehead State in NCAA Tournament opener after second-half surge

[{"selector":"#anim-b591509e-1b7f-438b-bcc9-7e4638c72ed9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Omaha – Third-seeded Illinois defeated No. 14 seed Morehead State 85-69 in the NCAA Tournament opening round on Thursday afternoon

[{"selector":"#anim-203106cc-b735-4399-a9b5-1e277bc026f5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.796013811903159%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] at CHI Health Center Omaha. After shooting 60.7% in the second half, the Fighting Illini defeated the Eagles 46-31 for their first NCAA Tournament win since 2022.

[{"selector":"#anim-1c599557-3437-48bb-9db9-d3af11efa24a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.24369100328031%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Marcus Domask had his first triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The triple-double is Illinois'

[{"selector":"#anim-46faf9ad-b5d5-4579-9907-1906f0a8f62c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.23373512422963%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] sixth, the first in the NCAA Tournament, and the 10th overall. Domask completed his triple-double with a clutch 3-pointer at 2:58 of the second half, the team's final field goal.

[{"selector":"#anim-59a2b10f-f762-4ca9-89dd-5d7a4ded53d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.246337776828504%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In the second half, Dain Dainja scored 17 of his 21 points and shot 9-for-9 from the field for a season-best.

[{"selector":"#anim-950066da-ad04-443f-abac-abb779d05554 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.796013811903159%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Dainja tied his season-best with eight rebounds, three on the offensive glass, and two blocks.

[{"selector":"#anim-8583c2dc-24f9-4e97-98d0-9b50afa45dad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.24369100328031%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 26 points, his fifth straight 20-point game.

[{"selector":"#anim-31c9e4c6-782c-422d-96c8-a7c58589fdfb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Shannon scored 19 points in the first half and went 2-for-3 in the second.

Illinois beats Morehead State in NCAA Tournament opener after second-half surge

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